Android has been leveraging the more efficient Vulcan API for many years. With Android 16’s new changes, Google is doubling down, requiring devices to support the new Host Image Copy feature.

Android 16 includes a preview of new Health Connect APIs that support health records. These APIs enable apps to read and write medical records in FHIR format, with explicit user consent.

Android 16 could add a new API that lets apps create Rich Ongoing Notifications, reminiscent of the iPhone's Dynamic Island.

Android 16 is adding a new API that lets apps opt out of having AI writing tools replace text with text generated by AI.